It is probably the question we are all too scared to ask.
Young and to a lesser extent Carr are easy fodder, but if Flanagan isn't the answer, then who is? Cause it wasn't Price, Mary or Hook.
The squad assembled is bang on average and I think is out-performing expectations, particularly given the young guys blooded. We got a 5th choice halfback from Souths, a 33 year old number 9 well past his best and a front rower unwanted by the wooden spooners. Holmes has done pretty well it must be said.
Frankly, I don't really blame Young for the linespeed given he's working with Klemmer, RFM and Lawrie.
Young may well go at the end of the season if we keep preforming so badly, but I think that is re-arranging the deck chairs if we continue with our recruitment the way its going.
Yeah, well said and I pretty much agree with most of what you're saying.
The assembled squad is a tricky one. At some point we've had to sign the players we have more out of necessity than want, because we've had to fulfill the NRL's roster # requirements otherwise it would paint us as a very dark picture.
Yes, we need a big fish, but in reality, who besides some rumors around Haas, is available and willing to sign with us.
People keep throwing up Sexton, but he's hardly a big fish. More the guppy type imo. Flanno knows we need leadership and players who give direction, hence the signings of Gutho, Holmes and Cook were vital given the circus that was our previous playing groups leadership.
However, the big negative was re-signing him son so early when it was unnecessary and extremely premature. In saying that, the player pool is getting shallower with the introduction of 2 new teams and 'quality' players may look to 'feather their nests' so to speak. An example of this is Api K who already has put his hand up for the Bears.
So, focusing on our juniors seems to be the right course, and we have done well in identifying and retaining most of them (for the time being) and some are even getting a taste of 1st grade.
It's unfortunate that our season has been curtailed by injuries, retirement and unhappy players. Would we be in the position we are in if Egan or RCoucho, CT or Su'a, were fit and playing each week?
Whilst the game v the Phins was an abomination, and people have a right to be angry and bemused, let's see what we dish up this week before marching with fire torches to the Taj.
Most expect us to loose, so in reality, if that's the case, then there shouldn't be any dissent as it would just represent the status quo.
